The Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) launched the AAC Anodizing Certification Program, an independent certification program developed specifically for facilities that perform aluminum anodizing. The program gives anodizers an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to meet established industry standards for quality and consistency. It also provides customers and specifiers greater confidence when selecting an anodizing partner.
“This program represents an important step forward for the anodizing industry,” said Jason Weber, president of the AAC. “It provides anodizers with an independent way to demonstrate their capabilities while giving customers and specifiers greater confidence in the performance, consistency and reliability of anodized aluminum finishes.”
The AAC developed the program in collaboration with IAPMO, the global product certification agency for code and standards development, and the Systems Certification Body (SCB), a system certification, compliance and auditing services firm. IAPMO worked with the AAC to develop and publish IAPMO 428, which establishes performance requirements, test methods, and acceptance criteria based on the anodizing technical knowledge, expertise, and practical experience provided by the AAC. SCB collaborated on the project to develop the audit and certification framework and conducts the independent certification process.
Certification includes a facility audit, product testing, and results verification, as well as compliance with data and record keeping requirements. Facilities that successfully meet the certification standards receive a certification of compliance and are authorized to use the AAC Certification emblem. This certification program will enable anodizers to:
- Establish consistent benchmarks for anodized aluminum finishes
- Ensure organizations meet and maintain quality and process consistency standards across the anodizing industry
- Improve communication among anodizers, customers, and specifiers
- Help customers of anodized products identify, trust, and rely on independently certified anodizing facilities
- Provide recognition to anodizers that demonstrate conformity with established requirements
“As an anodizer, I understand the importance of being able to demonstrate quality and consistency to customers,” said Park Kersman, chairman of the AAC and president of Lorin Industries. “This program gives our industry a common framework for doing that while providing customers and specifiers with additional confidence when choosing an anodizing partner.”
The certification is available to qualifying anodizing facilities regardless of AAC membership. For additional information, visit the AAC website for certification resources and instructions on how to get started.